Skirvin Hilton Hotel

The Skirvin Hilton Hotel, also known as the Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City and historically as the Skirvin Hotel, is a landmark hotel in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The property is recognized for its early twentieth-century architecture, long connection with the city’s civic and commercial life, and survival through a prolonged period of decline and abandonment. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and belongs to Historic Hotels of America, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s program for historically significant hotels. The hotel opened on September 26, 1911, under the direction of Oklahoma businessman William Balser “Bill” Skirvin. Its original building contained 224 rooms in a ten-story, two-winged tower. A third wing was added in 1925, and the three wings were subsequently raised to 13 floors in 1929–1930. At its largest historic configuration, the complex contained approximately 525 rooms. The building was named for Skirvin, whose daughter, Perle Mesta, later served as United States ambassador to Luxembourg during the Truman administration. The property became a prominent venue for public life. On September 24, 1912, former president Theodore Roosevelt addressed a large gathering from one of the hotel’s balconies while campaigning as the Bull Moose Party candidate. In the decades that followed, the hotel underwent improvements intended to keep it competitive, including air conditioning, a swimming pool, renovated furnishings, and other guest amenities. In 1945, the hotel and the associated Skirvin Tower were sold to Oklahoma hotelier Dan James, who continued efforts to maintain and reposition the property. The hotel closed in 1988 after suffering from low occupancy and then remained unused for roughly 19 years. Its potential rescue became a civic issue in the late 1990s. In 1999, Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys appointed a Skirvin Solutions Committee to investigate preservation and redevelopment options. The committee examined restoration models elsewhere and recommended a public-private partnership. Oklahoma City acquired the building in 2002 and later selected Partners in Development, led by principal John Weeman, to undertake its redevelopment. The restoration converted the historic building into a full-service Hilton-branded hotel operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts. The project preserved the exterior, installed historically appropriate windows, reconfigured the guest rooms, and added modern guest elevators and other infrastructure. Because the restored rooms were larger, the reopened hotel contained 225 rooms rather than the much larger number associated with its earlier expansion. It also included approximately 22,000 square feet of meeting rooms and common areas. The Skirvin Hilton reopened in 2007 after a redevelopment reported at approximately $51 million. The hotel remains a single-property hospitality destination rather than a broad international chain in its own right. Its offer combines overnight accommodation, food and beverage service, meeting and event space, and the appeal of a restored historic setting. The property is managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts under the Hilton brand. In 2022, ownership transferred to a joint venture involving Ortus Hotel Investments and the Chickasaw Nation’s Sovereign Properties Holdco. A further renovation reported in 2025 was valued at $22 million. The hotel is also associated with persistent local and popular-media stories about paranormal activity, which have increased its visibility among sports teams, visitors, and entertainment audiences, although the most famous ghost story has not been substantiated by historical evidence.

The Skirvin Hotel opened in downtown Oklahoma City on September 26, 1911. It was founded by William Balser “Bill” Skirvin and initially consisted of 224 rooms arranged in a ten-story, two-winged tower. The building was named for Skirvin, an Oklahoma businessman whose family later remained associated with notable public figures, including his daughter Perle Mesta, who became ambassador to Luxembourg during the Truman presidency. The property quickly became part of Oklahoma City’s civic and political landscape. On September 24, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt spoke to a large group of supporters from one of the hotel’s balconies during his campaign as the Bull Moose Party candidate. The hotel subsequently expanded as downtown Oklahoma City grew. A third, 12-story wing was added in 1925. In 1929 and 1930, the three wings were raised to 13 floors, bringing the complex to approximately 525 rooms and establishing the scale associated with its historic peak. In 1945, the Skirvin Hotel and Skirvin Tower were sold to local hotel operator Dan James. During the following decades, James pursued renovations and amenity upgrades intended to attract travelers and keep the property commercially viable. These improvements included air conditioning, a swimming pool, and new furniture. Despite those efforts, changing travel patterns and declining occupancy eventually undermined the hotel’s business. It closed in 1988 and stood vacant for approximately 19 years. The vacant building became a preservation concern in the late 1990s. In 1999, Oklahoma City mayor Kirk Humphreys created the Skirvin Solutions Committee to investigate possible rescue and reuse plans. The committee reviewed other historic-hotel restorations and examined ways to combine public resources with private development. In October 2000, it recommended that the city explore a public-private partnership. Oklahoma City acquired the property in May 2002 for $2.875 million and sought development proposals later that year. Partners in Development, led by principal John Weeman, proposed a roughly $42.1 million conversion into a full-service hotel carrying the Hilton brand and operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts. The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority selected the firm in January 2004. Weeman acquired the building from the city in 2005. The completed restoration ultimately cost about $51 million and drew on private investment and several public financing mechanisms, including tax increment financing, grants, Empowerment Zone credits, historic tax credits, and New Markets tax credits. The restored Skirvin Hilton reopened in 2007. The project retained the historic exterior finish, introduced historically appropriate windows, reconfigured the guest rooms, and installed new guest elevators. Larger rooms reduced the total inventory to 225 rooms. The reopened property also provided approximately 22,000 square feet of meeting rooms and common areas, allowing it to function as a modern full-service hotel while retaining its heritage identity. The property is managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts under the Hilton brand and is included in Historic Hotels of America. In 2022, ownership changed to a joint venture involving Ortus Hotel Investments and Sovereign Properties Holdco, affiliated with the Chickasaw Nation. The hotel completed another reported $22 million renovation in 2025. The Skirvin is also known for stories alleging paranormal activity, particularly accounts centered on room 1015 and a purported maid named Effie. The story claims that Effie became pregnant by Skirvin, was confined to the room, and later died after jumping from a window. Historical reporting cited in accounts of the hotel has found no evidence for that specific narrative. Family recollections instead refer to Skirvin’s relationship with an employee, Mabel Luty, who survived him. The ghost story nevertheless became part of the hotel’s popular identity, receiving attention from NBA teams, college athletes, sports media, and entertainment figures.

• 2025

  Renovation completed

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The hotel completes a reported $22 million renovation.

• 2022

  Ownership changes

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  A joint venture involving Ortus Hotel Investments and Chickasaw Nation-affiliated Sovereign Properties Holdco acquires the property.

• 2007

  Reopening as the Skirvin Hilton

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  A major restoration returns the building to service as a 225-room Hilton-branded hotel.

• 1999

  Skirvin Solutions Committee formed

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Oklahoma City begins an organized effort to evaluate preservation and redevelopment.

• 1988

  Closure

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The hotel closes because of low occupancy and later remains vacant for about 19 years.

• 1945

  Sold to Dan James

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  Local hotelier Dan James acquires the hotel and Skirvin Tower.

• 1930

  Historic expansion completed

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The wings are raised to 13 floors, with the property reaching approximately 525 rooms.

• 1925

  Third wing added

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  A third 12-story wing expands the hotel complex.

• 1912

  Theodore Roosevelt appearance

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The former president speaks from a hotel balcony during his Bull Moose Party campaign tour.

• 1911

  Hotel opens

  [1]Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org

  The Skirvin opens in Oklahoma City with 224 rooms in a ten-story, two-winged tower.

A historic full-service urban hotel combining Hilton-branded accommodation with Oklahoma City heritage, event facilities, and landmark architecture.

• Hotel accommodation · 2007

  Guest rooms and suites

  The hotel provides overnight accommodation in a restored historic building. After the 2007 rehabilitation, larger room configurations reduced the operating inventory to 225 rooms, replacing the much larger room count associated with the property’s early expansion.

• Hospitality events · 2007

  Meeting and event facilities

  The reopened property includes approximately 22,000 square feet of meeting rooms and common areas. These facilities support conferences, social events, weddings, and other full-service hotel functions in a downtown landmark setting.

• Hotel dining

  Food and beverage services

  Food and beverage service forms part of the hotel’s full-service hospitality offer. Specific current restaurant, bar, and menu names are not established by the supplied reference material.

• Heritage hospitality · 1911

  Historic-hotel experience

  The property’s principal differentiator is the combination of Hilton-branded lodging with preserved early twentieth-century architecture, civic history, and a location in downtown Oklahoma City. Its heritage status and folklore contribute to its destination appeal.

• 2025

  Major renovation completedOther

  Background

  The historic hotel required continued investment to maintain its guest product and preserve its landmark role.

  Action taken

  The property completed a further renovation.

  Aftermath

  The hotel remained active as a Hilton-branded historic property in downtown Oklahoma City.

  Renovation investment. $22 million (2025)

  Source

• 2022

  Ownership transfer to Ortus and Chickasaw Nation-affiliated investorsM&A

  Background

  The operating hotel remained a Hilton-branded property managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

  Action taken

  Ownership transferred to a joint venture of Ortus Hotel Investments and Sovereign Properties Holdco, associated with the Chickasaw Nation.

  Aftermath

  The property continued operating under its existing Hilton-branded hospitality model.

  Source

• 2007

  Reopening as the Skirvin HiltonProduct launch

  Background

  The historic hotel had been closed and abandoned for approximately 19 years.

  Action taken

  The building was restored and relaunched under the Hilton brand with modern guest infrastructure, reconfigured rooms, and meeting space.

  Aftermath

  The property returned to active hotel operations while retaining its historic exterior and landmark identity.

  Source

• 2004

  Selection of Hilton hotel redevelopment proposalStrategy

  Background

  The city and Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority needed a developer to restore the vacant historic property and establish a viable operating model.

  Action taken

  Partners in Development, led by John Weeman, was selected to renovate the building as a full-service Hilton-branded hotel operated by Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

  Aftermath

  The completed project reopened the property in 2007 with 225 rooms and expanded meeting facilities.

  Proposed redevelopment cost. $42.1 million proposed; approximately $51 million completed (2004–2007)

  Source

• 2002

  Public-private redevelopment strategyStrategy

  Background

  After the hotel had been vacant since 1988, Oklahoma City sought a preservation-led redevelopment model capable of returning the landmark to commercial use.

  Action taken

  The city acquired the building and solicited proposals for a private rehabilitation, ultimately supporting a full-service Hilton-branded hotel project.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment led to selection of Partners in Development, subsequent private acquisition, and the hotel’s reopening in 2007.

  Acquisition price. $2.875 million (May 2002)

  Source

1. 1Skirvin Hilton Hotelen.wikipedia.org